State House candidates weigh-in on education

Vouchers, charter schools among topics

Gov. Tom Corbett has made education reform — mostly in the form of expanding charter schools and school choice – the cornerstone of his first-term agenda. But the Republican has seen his efforts to pass taxpayer-funded vouchers stymied — as were the efforts of his GOP predecessor, former Gov. Tom Ridge.

Corbett did win some incremental victories with new teacher evaluation standards and limits on the ability of local school districts to increase property taxes.

But major charter school reforms — including the creation of a statewide body that would authorize the alternative public schools — were on the cutting room floor when lawmakers broke for the year.

Here's how area candidates for state representative stand on education issues.

131ST DISTRICT

Republican Justin Simmons, who was elected to his first term in November 2010, said he prefers local control over charter school issuers rather than the single-authorizer at the state level.

Simmons, 26, of Upper Saucon Township, said he supports "hybrid" legislation that gives the state the right to give money to charter schools directly but also has the option of having the subsidy come from the school districts.

"I have said I believe we need stricter controls over charter schools to ensure they are meeting their mission of providing a quality education for our children, and am working toward that goal," he said.

On vouchers, he said he would be open to a pilot program for a failing school, but said the Educational Improvement Tax Credit approved this year "is adequate in what we're trying to do."

Democrat Kevin Deely, a teacher in the Easton School District and a former president of the teachers union, said he is "completely opposed" to school vouchers.

"Vouchers would create yet another stream of unaccountable taxpayer dollars to entities that aren't accountable to the taxpayers."

Deely, 36, of Upper Saucon Township, opposes the single-authorizer provision and says local control of school tax dollars and schools themselves is "paramount."

He said charter schools are less accountable to taxpayers than traditional public schools and that needs to change.

"I am not opposed to charter schools, but I believe they need to play by the same rules as other public schools."

The 131st District includes most of southern Lehigh County and parts of Lower Saucon Township and Allentown.

Republican Justin Simmons, who was elected to his first term in November 2010, said he prefers local control over charter school issuers rather than the single-authorizer at the state level.

133RD DISTRICT

Dan McNeill, a Democrat vying for the seat recently vacated by Democrat Joseph Brennan amid drunken-driving charges, could not be reached for comment.

His campaign staff emailed responses to a list of questions.

"In the last two years, we have seen devastating cuts to education by Gov. Corbett and the Legislature," McNeill said in the emailed response. "I will work with my colleagues at the local, state and federal level to ensure that the core educational infrastructure is preserved for future generations and I will work to develop a comprehensive youth intervention strategy that breaks the cycles of poverty and violence."

McNeill, a former union leader and Whitehall Township commissioner, did not respond to follow up questions.

Republican David Molony said he's not "totally up on" vouchers and charter schools.

"This isn't my full-time job yet," the Catasauqua acupuncturist said.

He said he'd favor removing property taxes as a mechanism for funding education. In its place, Molony said he would create a 2 percent to 3 percent sales tax.

Also, Molony said he'd change the levels of funding some districts would receive so that each district would be on an equal playing field.

The 133rd covers part of Allentown, part of Bethlehem, Catasauqua, Coplay, Fountain Hill, Hanover Township, part of Salisbury Township and part of Whitehall Township.

135TH DISTRICT

Incumbent Democrat Steve Samuelson said he's been opposed to vouchers for the past 14 years. It's a constitutional issue, he said, because funds shouldn't go to sectarian schools. Also, the costs are too heavy on districts that have to foot the bills.

Under the current system, however, Samuelson said removing school districts from funding charter schools would eliminate a level of oversight.

Corbett's cuts to public education must be repealed, Samuelson said.

"We need to close the Delaware loophole," he said.

Closing the loophole, the Pennsylvania law that allows corporations to lower their tax bills by paying royalties to affiliates in low-tax states, could help replace the funding the administration removed from education.

Republican Kenneth Barreto said he's in favor of school vouchers, because of the options they provide.